3. Verb patterns

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VERB + -ING

Some verbs are followed by -ING.

• I avoided talking to him.

These include: admit, deny, dislike, feel like, give up, mind, avoid, discuss, enjoy, finish, mention, practise, suggest, take up, miss, understand, recommend.

VERB + TO + INFINITIVE

Some verbs are followed by TO + infinitive.

• James agreed to help me.

These include: advise, choose, help, afford, decide, hope, agree, expect, invite, learn, manage, offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, teach, tell, want, would like.

VERB + INFINITIVE (WITHOUT TO)

Some verbs are followed by an object + bare infinitive (without to).

• I let him take my book home for one night.

 These include: let, make, help.
 

VERBS FOLLOWED BY EITHER -ING OR TO + INFINITIVE

Some verbs can be followed by either -ING or the full infinitive.

• I started liking / to like Sarah after she helped me with my problem.

• With some verbs, the meaning is the same or nearly the same.

These include: begin, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start.

• With some verbs, the meaning changes.

These verbs include:

Remember

• Have a memory in your mind: Do you remember seeing that film?
• Do something you are/were planning to: You must remember to lock the door.

Forget

• Not be able to remember a past event: I'll never forget meeting the President.
• Not do something you are/were planning to do: Don't forget to invite Mary to the party!

Stop

• Stop an action: I stopped working for them because I started my own business.
• Interrupt an action to do something else: It's difficult to concentrate if you have to stop to answer the phone every five minutes.

Try

• Do something to try and solve a problem: If you have problems sleeping, you should try doing yoga.
• Make an effort to do something: I tried to say I'm sorry, but she wouldn't listen.